23 - Desert Dreams

General Summary

After setting up camp in Kalani's hut (with Mender and Puff outside), the party prepares to rest for the evening. Isgrid checks in with Kalani and the party, and she and Gem try to stave off the growing disagreement between Kalani and Mender. Mender connects with the Scorcher arm and receives a mental message that there is a stored memory within it, should he wish to access it. He accepts, and the party drifts off to rest.

[Mender]

Mender opens his eyes to the sight of a flying vessel's interior, hundreds of feet above Ruou's Cauldron. He is surrounded by warforged much like him, all bound to metal frames. An inventor speaks to him, checking his vitals, and Mender exclaims his confusion as he discovers he is in an entirely new frame, labeled M3-LT. The inventor looks puzzled, believing it to be an error in his programming. After a few mobility tests, the inventor questions Mender, to which the warforged's fabrications don't quite line up. Mender reveals to the man that he is someone entirely different. Errors begin to trigger throughout his body, as the voice in Mender's head speaks of a "corrupted memory". The inventor's eyes widen, and he quickly asks Mender of his name and the year he hails from. Mender tells him - M3-ND, from the year 300 PR. The inventor promises to Mender that he will build him, and all turns black.

"M3-ND - There is still hope yet! I promise, I will build you!"

- The inventor

[Kalani]

Kalani arises from a restful sleep with a swift kick to the ribs. A stern sellsword wakes him up, telling him he's duly late for a meeting with The Stone Titan King, Kohatu of Grandfin. Kalani finds himself in the visage of Frederick von Doss, a traveling musician hailing from the Sanctums. Kalani learns:

• Frederick and the sellsword were kicked out of the local tavern past midnight, as the bard offered to pay for everyone's drinks with coin he did not have.
• The sellsword's name is Isabelle, hired by Doss from the Arangi Highlands four weeks past to escort him safely to the city of Grandfin. She has no surname - when asked, Kalani offers "Cloudtop", or "von Doss". She retorts by threatening to leave him be.
• Frederick's instrument is a familiar lute, of which he is notably talented. Isabelle says he often brags that songs arrive to him in his sleep, explaining their peculiar tones.
• Doss intends to charm the giant king, and convince him to help build the Sanctums to Doss's designs, which is an incredibly tough sell. The King is notoriously stern.

As the pair continue their journey, the dream peacefully ends.

[Dhumkk'd]

Dhumkk'd returns to the arena he once dreamed of prior, once more meeting the tall man in the balcony. The man proclaims that Dhumkk'd has been making great progress, but still not enough to challenge the Beast. He tells Dhumkk'd to continue learning from the people sent to him, and asks who he wishes to train with in the arena. Dhumkk'd chooses Lai'ko, and the bearman is summoned in a swirl of purple mist.
Dhumkk'd and Laiko cross blades, both armed with a sword and shield. Lai'ko takes the initial upper hand, but Dhumkk'd ultimately triumphs, even despite not using any of his personal maneuvers. As the blade pierces the bearman, he offers Dhumkk'd an encouraging smile and dissipates. The man in the balcony says there is much more work to be done, which Dhumkk'd is eager to experience.

[Gemini]

"The Almighty Gem'ini de Lei, First Empress of the Spiral Seas, Last Paragon of Kiwa, Heir of the Seldarine, New Daughter of the Waves, Ruler of the Frozen Veil, Thronekeep of the Serpent's Pass, The Deep Queen, The Soulstealer, The Ascended...need I go on?"

- Callisto, to Gem'ini

Gem finds herself in the evening light shining through the windows of what appears to be Grandfin Castle. She appears to be in winter form, and working on a map in the center of the throne room is none other than Callisto. She quickly keeps her distance, much to Callisto's confusion, but he acquiesces to her demands that he converse from a number of paces away. Gem'ini learns:

• She and Callisto have apparently been working in tandem for the last fifteen years.
• Gem'ini rules the seas entirely - as described by Callisto, "You brought Stormcrest to subjugation in a 30-day seige. You made the Deep King bend the knee in twelve months time, you've bested the Grandfin Navy and the vessels of Embrefal with a fleet a tenth of the size. You are the undisputed ruler of every sea, lagoon and estuary within Ziklaros, as you deserve."
• The southern crescent has been entirely conquered, thanks to the rampaging of "the Beast". The final bastion of the rebellion sits in the Skyward Sanctums, led by "Commander Kalani the 3rd", and "Mender, the Creator." A land bridge is being constructed to connect the Shallows to the west edge of the northern crescent, allowing the Beast to cross the waters.
• Callisto laments that much time and warfare would have been avoided if Gem hadn't "convinced him" to spare her friends fifteen years past. As he explains, the march upon the Sanctums would finally bring "the era of peace" missing for so long.
• Callisto holds the staves of Terra and Auri - the Beast possesses the staff of Igni, and Gem'ini still wields the staff of Aquai.
• The castle of Grandfin was recently conquered, with their triumph over the Stone King Kohatu.
• Callisto suggests "Libra" be given a position of command, although he implies they and Gem'ini do not have the best relationship.

Gem'ini tells Callisto to leave her be, to which he acquiesces, leaving her alone within the now frozen castle.
========================
The party arises to a new day. They shares pieces of their revelations, recognizing that all present had some sort of strange vision. Kalani checks his lute, spotting the name "Isabelle" engraved into the instrument's neck. Regardless, they set off to begin their second day of travel towards the staff of Igni.

Rewards Granted

Fighting Style: Dueling (Dhumkk'd)

Character(s) interacted with

Recurring Characters: Man in Balcony, Lai'Ko, Callisto
New Characters:

• Frederick von Doss - Musician and lonely traveler hailing from the Sanctums.
• Isabelle - Sellsword from the Arangi Highlands
• The Inventor - A short man with plenty of experience with warforged.

Report Date

11 Jul 2021

Primary Location

Ruou's Cauldron

The Inventor.

Frederick von Doss.

Isabelle.